Free Covid-19 Testing in Central Square as City Introduces Mobile Option

Boston's COVID-19 mobile testing site, in partnership with the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, will now be offering COVID-19 testing in East Boston's Central Square. This COVID-19 testing initiative will be available starting tomorrow, Tuesday, September 1 to Saturday, September 12 on Border Street at Liberty Plaza Shopping Center in East Boston. Testing will be available at no cost for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. No appointment is needed but registration is required. To pre-register, please call 617-568-4500.

"Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been dedicated to monitoring and making decisions based on the latest COVID-19 data. With the increase in cases in East Boston, we are expanding testing access there to ensure that all residents can get tested," said Mayor Walsh. "Thank you to the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center for your continued partnership in helping Bostonians stay safe and healthy."

The dates and hours of operation at Central Square Park in East Boston are: 

Tuesday, September 1st: 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 2nd: 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 3rd - Friday, September 4th: 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 

Saturday, September 5th: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 8th: 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 9th: 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 10th - Friday, September 11th: 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 

Saturday, September 12th: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

This mobile site testing initiative was announced by Mayor Walsh back in May as a way to help fill any gaps in testing availability, prioritizing neighborhoods and populations that need dedicated testing efforts to create equitable access to testing. The site has previously been located in Roxbury, Allston, South Boston and Mattapan. In Mattapan, there were 927 COVID-19 tests ordered. Of 798 results received, less than 2.2% tested positive for COVID-19.

"East Boston has seen an alarming rise in COVID-19 rates and its critical that we take
immediate actions to stop the spread of the virus," said East Boston Neighborhood Health Center president and CEO Manny Lopes. "Testing is one of the most important infectious disease control tools in our arsenal and we are glad to be partnering with the City of Boston to provide pop-up testing sites throughout the city."

As of August 24th, 2020, East Boston is experiencing a 10.8% average positive test rate for the current week compared to the citywide average positive test rate at 2.3%. Bringing the mobile testing team is one step the City of Boston is taking to address the increase in the positivity rate in the neighborhood. The City is in communication with the State about finding temporary isolation housing so people can quarantine away from their families if they test positive for COVID-19. 

The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) has been mobilizing teams to provide care kits, information, and education to residents and businesses using the languages spoken in the neighborhood, including Spanish. They are distributing information at MBTA stations and key intersections, as well as neighborhood parks where people gather to play sports. Cross-departmental teams in the City of Boston, elected officials who represent the neighborhood, medical and social service providers in the community, union leaders who represent working people in the neighborhood, and Church officials and clergy have helped to get the message out.

In addition to the City's mobile testing sites, COVID-19 testing is available at over 20 locations across the city. Mobile testing sites also continue to be available at select locations, prioritizing neighborhoods and populations that need dedicated testing efforts to create equitable access to testing. Individuals can call the Mayor's Health Line with any questions using 617-534-5050. For a complete list of all testing sites, visit here. 

The City of Boston has been partnering with community health centers to increase access to testing, particularly in neighborhoods experiencing higher rates of COVID-19. As of Monday, August 24, 2020, there were 167,859 COVID-19 tests of Boston residents. Out of 167,859 total tests, 9.4% have tested positive, which is down from 10.1% reported through Monday, August 17. For all Boston residents, the positivity for tests decreased slightly from 2.7% for the prior week (August 11-17) to 2.3% for the current week (August 18-24). The latest numbers of cases from the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) by neighborhoods are available here.

Mayor Walsh and the Boston Resiliency Fund Steering Committee have dedicated over $1,720,000 to expand COVID-19 testing and conduct culturally appropriate outreach and education to community health centers across City of Boston neighborhoods, including Bowdoin Street Community Health Center, Codman Square Community Health Center, The Dimock Center, DotHouse Health, Mattapan Community Health Center, Uphams Corner Community Health Center, Whittier Street Community Health Center, Charles River Community Health, Fenway Health, Greater Roslindale Medical & Dental Center, Harbor Health, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, South Boston Community Health Center, NEW Health Charlestown, South End Community Health Center, and Brookside Community Health Center. The Fund has also supported telehealth services and equipment at those community health centers as well to connect testing to safe treatment options at home.

Resources and information about COVID-19 are available online. Resources available on boston.gov and through City departments include support for renters and homeowners; small businesses; free meals for Boston students; free toiletries for Boston students; support for older residents; information on homeless shelters; resources for those in recovery or those who have a substance use disorder; and mental health resources. More information on Boston's reopening can be found at boston.gov/reopening.

For additional questions or programs, please visit our coronavirus website or call 3-1-1, Boston's 24-hour constituent hotline. Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to receive text alerts on a regular basis, available in 11 languages.

Republican write-in candidate Rachel Miselman for the 7th Congressional District

Rachel Nicole Miselman is a Republican write-in candidate for the Seventh Congressional District seat, of which East Boston is a part.

“My grandmother’s parents met and began a lifetime together in East Boston in the early twentieth century. So, I am very fond of East Boston and committed to the residents. Despite being terribly pricier, East Boston remains a place where immigrants come, work, and sometimes fall in love!”

“As for the job of congresswoman, I see this office as being the means through which all voices in the district are heard. Moreover, one of the primary responsibilities is securing federal dollars for things like infrastructure, health centers (like the East Boston Community Health Center), and senior programs.”

“Our current congresswoman is not doing any of this. She is not doing the job. I will do the job.”

Rachel Nicole Miselman is from West Roxbury and Dorchester. She attended Boston Latin School and Harvard University. At these two schools, she learned about the importance of civic engagement and academic excellence. She used this instruction to train as a barrister at the same institution as Gandhi and Margaret Thatcher and then to advocate for human rights. It equally enabled her to become a teacher at private language schools for over twelve years.

This is her first run for public office. “I am not a member of the political class, “ she says. “I am a citizen of the district, all of which I love and cherish.”

Update from the Italian American Alliance: Meeting with the Mayor in the Works

For Immediate Release
June 12, 2020

A scheduled Sunday afternoon rally at 2 p.m. by Italian Americans at Christopher Columbus Park to respond to the recent vandalism of the Christopher Columbus statue has been cancelled. 

In its place, Boston's Mayor Marty Walsh will meet with the leaders of the Italian American Alliance who had scheduled the rally. 

Dr. Frank Mazzaglia, Communications Officer the for the Alliance, praised Mayor Walsh for his sensitivity to the feelings of Italian Americans across the state who were outraged at the statue's vandalism. 
The Columbus statue was paid for through the private donations of citizens and associations in the North End.

Leaders of the Italian American Alliance expect a positive outcome concerning the statue's future following an honest dialogue. In addition to its 2,280 members, the Italian American Alliance is also an umbrella association which includes most prominent Italian American organizations in Massachusetts.

Answering the call in a crisis, East Boston Community Soup Kitchen delivers for families

Cargo Ventures pitches in when it matters

In 2016, Sandra Nijjar found herself without a job, a stark challenge for a resident where the cost of living in Boston increases every day. But unemployment wasn't an obstacle. If there was not a job out there for her, she came up with an idea and created one for herself although it was not a paying job but it certainly was a dream to help the most vulnerable in a more consistent manner.

However, after about four months of being unemployed, Nijjar was recalled from her previous employer as a seasonal and was given Tuesdays off and her pay was prorated so she could continue her soup kitchen's effort which she was not willing to give up on.

With a burning desire to help the neighborhood's homeless, she started the East Boston Community Soup Kitchen. Located at the Our Savior Lutheran Church on Paris Street, Nijjar grew a food pantry and soup kitchen that today serves 40 to 50 men and 250 families. "The help from East Boston is overwhelming."

Despite the growing prosperity that comes with new development, people living with food insecurity are growing and sometimes in the shadows. "I noticed that we have a population of middle-aged men without families and without small children who are addicts and live on the streets; and pretty much without any help, particularly the undocumented folks."

The soup kitchen is more than just food, she says. "My goal is to use food as a tool where men can then be connected to the services they need to become sober."

The East Boston Soup Kitchen also does a lot of advocacy work for its patrons such as making connections to existing services in the area when folks need a shower, clean clothes, detox services and even help with health insurance paperwork.

She says that she is blessed to have the support of the Our Savior's Lutheran Church and the many volunteers that have lent a hand over the years. "Everyone is pitching in."

Nijjar says the key to success is not only to be welcoming but non-judgmental. "No one is perfect and everyone has a story." She notes that some of her patrons suffer from childhood trauma or mental illness. The turn-arounds are tinged with sadness. "Once they are sober I don't see them anymore."

Like most small community-based human service agencies, Nijjar makes a dollar stretch. She collects perfectly edible food from local restaurants. "We really don't waste food here."

That challenge of organizing, setting up and securing community support for the pantry nearly four years ago, pales in comparison to what she faces today: How to feed the homeless middle age men in the age of the coronavirus one of the neighborhoods most besieged by the novel disease. East Boston has one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infections and the virus has hit minorities the hard.

On March 10 the kitchen closed. But Nijjar's work didn't stop then even though she didn't report to a kitchen anymore. She started getting the word out to local organizations and supporters such as Resurrection Church.

Any work during the shutdown required funding. It was just as the city was putting its stay-at-home policy in place that Nijjar received a call from Pat Capogreco, community liaison for Cargo Ventures, who asked "'How can we help?'"

The industrial real estate and logistics firm kicked in much-needed cash.  Food that was once prepared, served and consumed in the church basement was now made available by vouchers, gift cards and references to local eateries such as Taco Mex, Meridian Food Market, La Casa Del Pandebono. Cargo Ventures picked up the tab for all the meals without asking how much the meals would cost.

"Cargo Ventures is my life-saving angel to say the least. They reached out the first day we closed," says Nijjar.

"As an East Boston resident and Cargo Venture employee I'm very happy to be in a position to help out the soup kitchen which is helping people in the community who are in need," notes Capogreco.

Such help is inspiration for the future. Nijjar would like a more permanent place for the soup kitchen on this side of the Boston Harbor. Even though East Boston is a highly desirable place to live, it remains isolated. That makes it harder for the vulnerable who have to find their way to downtown Boston.

Competition for real estate is fierce but the East Boston Soup Kitchen has proved that it can overcome any crisis. By being there in the most trying crisis in modern times for the people who need it most, Nijjar, her band of volunteers, network of eateries and supporters like Cargo Ventures, have the will to make it happen.

"Sandra is very dedicated in her cause working hard to help people," says Capogreco.

To learn more about the East Boston Community Soup Kitchen, visit its website here.

Mayor Walsh Column: Emergency care has not been put on hold. If you need medical assistance, seek help.

Photo Courtesy of the Mayor's Office

By Mayor Martin J. Walsh

During this public health emergency, many of us are feeling stressed and anxious. Days are uncertain and our routines have shifted. Many people are working remotely, or have lost their jobs. Students are learning online. Many of our favorite events have been canceled. For some time now, I have urged you to follow many precautions like staying home, covering your face when outside, and not visiting friends and family. But, one thing has not changed and should not change: if you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1 for help. Boston EMS and our emergency rooms are ready to help you.

In anticipation of Boston’s surge in COVID-19 cases, we have been doing our part to not overwhelm our emergency departments. We are asking individuals to call their primary care provider or 3-1-1 if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have any health-related questions. You can also visit buoyhealth.com/mass for an online screening of COVID-19 symptoms. But, life-threatening emergencies like difficulty breathing or pain or pressure in the chest should be addressed immediately by calling 9-1-1. 

Boston EMS will provide you the necessary pre-hospital care and transport you to the nearest emergency department if needed. Hospitals have seen dramatic decreases in health emergencies, like heart attacks, strokes and appendicitis. Even though coronavirus is a new challenge, that does not mean other health challenges are less present. Please do not delay getting life-saving care because of fear of getting coronavirus. Go to the emergency room if you think you are in need of emergency care. Our hospitals in Boston have been taking many steps to ensure safety and cleanliness, and they have space for you.  

Every day we are planning and responding to reduce the further spread of coronavirus. One piece of this has been increasing hospital capacity. We know it is important to be ready to treat as many people as possible, and not just for COVID-19. We must also help front line workers, like our medical professionals, first responders, grocery store employees, public servants and sanitation workers, stay healthy by practicing our guidelines: staying home as much as possible, covering your face when outside your home, keeping at least 6 feet of distance from other people, washing your hands frequently, and disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces. 

I know it’s a hard adjustment, and it seems like this has been going on for much longer than it has. But this virus will not stop spreading if everyone follows our guidelines. I want to thank everyone who has been avoiding gatherings and wearing a face covering when they go outside. I know it’s not always comfortable or easy to do, especially as we move into warmer weather. Your actions will directly help save lives. To those of you ignoring these guidelines, I urge you to reflect on the consequences of your actions. Is ignoring these guidelines worth risking the lives of your friends, family and neighbors? We can overcome this, but we have to work together. 

The City of Boston will continue to take the proper steps to respond to this crisis in a comprehensive way. This is a difficult time for everyone around the world. It’s okay to feel stressed. We will get through this together by following the public health guidelines, working together and supporting each other, one day at a time.

For more information on Boston’s COVID-19 response, please visit boston.gov/coronavirus or text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to receive text alerts on a regular basis, available in 11 languages. For non-emergency questions, please call 3-1-1.  

EB Residents Launch Grassroots Campaign for New Ward 1 Democratic Committee

(EAST BOSTON, January 2, 2020) - A grassroots group of civically-engaged residents have started a campaign to elect a new Ward 1 Democratic Committee in East Boston. The group, called “Fresh Slate Eastie,” includes:

Leaders of community organizations such as Airport Impact Relief (AIR) Inc., East Boston Community Soup Kitchen, Eastie Farm, Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, Golden Stairs Imigration Center, Harborkeepers, and What’s Up Eastie?

Representatives from all of East Boston’s neighborhoods including life-long and recently-arrived residents, 5 current Ward Committee members including City Councilor Lydia Edwards, and parents of students attending Boston Public Schools.

The group’s goal is to build a strong, open, and inclusive Democratic Committee. They envision fostering a rich discussion around issues most important to East Boston residents, resulting in greater community voice in city, state, and federal policy. The group’s principles include:

• Transparency: holding widely advertised Democratic Committee meetings at times and places that maximize involvement from all East Boston residents
• Diversity and Inclusion: engaging a diverse range of residents and community organizations
• Community Voice: creating channels for the East Boston community to express its priorities on issues such as housing, transportation, climate change, and education
• Independence: bringing a new perspective to the Ward Committee
• Civic Engagement: increasing voter registration and participation in elections

The Ward Committee gives East Boston residents the opportunity to voice concerns by creating forums for conversation with elected representatives, endorsing candidates, and creating opportunities for civic participation. Voters will elect the next Ward 1 Committee during the next Democratic primary election on March 3, 2020.

“We are excited to launch Fresh Slate Eastie. Our goal is to revitalize the policy conversation in East Boston around issues that matter most to residents while creating a more transparent and inclusive Ward 1 Committee,” said Brian Gannon, one of the members of the group.

The following is the complete list of candidates making up the slate: 

Matt Cameron, 
Gabriela Coletta, 
Ben Downing, 
Victoria Dzindzichashvili (DiLorenzo), 
City Councilor Lydia Edwards, 
Margaret Farmer, 
Jo Ann Fitzgerald, 
Brian Gannon, 
Zachary Hollopeter, 
Lisa Jacobson, 
Giordana Mecagni, 
Gail Miller, 
Dionyssios Mintzopoulos, 
Sandra Nijjar, 
Heather O’Brien, 
Ricardo Patron, 
Jesse Purvis.
James Rosenquist, 
Aneesh Sahni, and 
Kannan Thiruvengadam. 

For more information contact: freshslateeastie@gmail.com.

Mayor Walsh signs "An Act to Further Leverage Commercial Development to Build Housing, Create Jobs, and Preserve Inclusionary Development."

BOSTON - Thursday, September 12, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined members of the Boston City Council, community residents and advocates as he signed "An Act to Further Leverage Commercial Development to Build Housing, Create Jobs, and Preserve Inclusionary Development." This Home Rule Petition enables the City of Boston to have more flexibility to fund affordable housing and workforce training through Boston's Linkage program, and will codify the Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) into Boston's Zoning Code to protect the City's ability to create and fund income-restricted housing. Mayor Walsh proposed the Home Rule Petition in January 2019 as part of his 2019-2020 legislative package. Following the signing, the proposal will move to the Massachusetts Legislature for approval. 

"We must use every tool we have to leverage Boston's growth to invest in affordable housing and workforce training for our residents," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud to sign this legislation that addresses one of our most pressing issues in Boston: building more opportunities for all. I thank the City Council and many advocates for helping us take this critical step forward, and look forward to working with the Legislature to quickly move this bill into law." 

Boston's Linkage program provides funding for affordable housing and workforce training through payments by large-scale commercial real estate development. Under the current law, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is only allowed to adjust Linkage every three years based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Currently, commercial developments over 100,000 square feet pay $10.81 per square foot for housing and jobs Linkage. The money collected is made available through competitive funding rounds administered by the Neighborhood Housing Trust and the City of Boston's Office of Workforce Development.  

The Home Rule Petition signed today will allow Boston to make adjustments to the required payment and program guidelines, including annual adjustments, allowing for Linkage to be more closely aligned with the market and offering additional opportunities for the creation of affordable housing and workforce development.

Since 2014, the City has invested $43 million in housing funding from Linkage that it has leveraged for a total of $723 million in additional public funds across 66 developments. Those projects have created 1,546 new affordable units and preserved 749 existing affordable units. Between 2015 and 2016, Linkage helped more than 2,300 low- and moderate-income residents access job training and education programs. After job placement, graduates of the training programs earned an average wage of $15.23 per hour with 72 percent earning benefits as well.

"Housing our communities and preparing residents for economic prosperity are critical priorities for the City of Boston," said City Councilor Lydia Edwards. "This legislation will ensure Boston secures lasting affordability for those who live here today as we plan for growth and development in Boston neighborhoods."

"Throughout the legislative process, my City Council colleagues and I heard from a range of stakeholders who expressed how this Home Rule Petition would be a specific tool to address the housing crisis in Boston," said City Councilor Michael Flaherty. "This legislation will enable Boston to update the Linkage exaction rates on an annual basis to allow for the City to make adjustments based on the realities of the real estate market. Giving the City more flexibility and local control over the exaction rates is especially important so as we continue to go through an  era of rapid growth and development. I join Mayor Walsh and my Council colleagues in advocating to move this bill forward."    

The Home Rule Petition also codifies Boston's Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) into the Boston Zoning Code. Under the current law, IDP requires that developers of buildings with 10or more units seeking zoning relief or building on City of Boston owned land set aside a percentage of their on-site units as income-restricted, create off-site income-restricted units, or make a payment to the IDP fund. As the BPDA completes comprehensive planning in Boston's neighborhoods and updates Boston's existing zoning, more market rate residential projects may become as of right and be exempt from IDP requirements. The Home Rule Petition strengthens Boston's IDP as a strategy to capture affordable housing units and funding from projects which are zoning compliant, expanding the work under Mayor Walsh to create and preserve Boston's affordable housing. 

"Workforce development and economic mobility go hand in hand in helping people achieve economic self-sufficiency," said Joanne Hilferty, President and CEO of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, which operates MassHire Boston Career Center, and provides job training and career services for 7,500 individuals annually. "We applaud Mayor Walsh and the Boston City Council for their work on strengthening the Linkage Program to create more access to job training and career services for those who need it most."

Since the inception of IDP in 2000, the policy has resulted in 2,706 units of stable, income-restricted housing for moderate- and middle-income families, and $154 million in funding. When combined with other affordable housing resources, this funding has supported the completion or preservation of 2,006 additional units of housing, affordable to very low-, low-, and moderate-income households.

"It is important that the City continues to increase affordable housing options for Boston's households that are rent burdened," said Karen Chen, Executive Director of the Chinatown Progressive Association. "We need to do everything we can to ensure that our low-income residents can remain in their neighborhoods, near their jobs, schools and families. I want to thank the Mayor and the City Council for passing this important home-rule petition and commit that the IDP and Linkage coalitions will work hard to get this bill passed at the State."

The BPDA is currently working with outside consultants, the development community and housing and job advocates to explore policy changes to both Linkage and IDP beyond the legislative changes made in the Home Rule Petition.  

The Mayor's commitment to increasing affordable housing in the City is reflected in Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030, Boston's latest  quarterly housing report, and the City's overall housing goal of 69,000 new units by 2030. These 69,000 new units include 15,820 new income-restricted units, which would elevate Boston's income-restricted inventory total to 70,000, or one in five of all housing units. In addition, the plan set a goal to preserve 85 percent of Boston's most at-risk privately-owned affordable units, and to purchase 1,000 units of rental housing stock from the speculative market and income-restrict them for perpetuity. 

ABOUT MAYOR WALSH'S 2019 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Mayor Walsh's legislative agenda continues his administration's work to create greater opportunity for all residents, and serves all people of Massachusetts through its focus on equity. The bills are grouped into different categories: housing security and economic mobility, environment and transportation, education, and health and public safety, and are aimed at ensuring Boston and Massachusetts' growth benefits all communities in the Commonwealth. For more information about the bills and to track the City's advocacy, please visit boston.gov/legislativeagenda. 

GOP chairman Jim Lyons to address local Republicans on October 3

1st Suffolk & Middlesex Senatorial District 
Republican Committee Meeting
Thursday, October 3rd @ 6:30 p.m.
American Legion Hall, 249 Broadway, Revere

Before he became the chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party,Jim Lyons, represented the 18th Essex district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Since his decisive victory for GOP chair last January, Jim has brought new visions to the Massachusetts Republican Party. 

There will be a lot to discuss at the meeting in October, since the Presidential Primary will be held 5 months later, the Republican National Convention 5 months after that, and the Presidential Election on November 3, 2020.

The First Suffolk and Middlesex Senatorial District includes all of Revere and Winthrop, Boston Wards 1 (East Boston) and Wards 3 and 5, and certain precincts in Wards 2, 4, and 5 in Cambridge. At the meeting Republicans will also be filling out nomination papers to be on the ballot to elect ward committees during the Presidential Primary on March 3, 2020.

The meeting will be held at the American Legion in Revere. There is plenty of parking and light refreshments will be served. Local GOP leaders are encouraging anyone that is interested to please contact the State Committeeman or the State Committeewoman


Paul Ronukaitus / ronukaitus@comcast.net
Joyce Kelly / joycemariekelly@gmail.com

Ward 1 Democrats sponsor City Council candidate night

Mayor Walsh column: Investing in our next generation

by Mayor Martin J. Walsh


In 2015, we launched BuildBPS, a 10-year educational and facilities master plan that reflects a $1 billion commitment to our students. This plan is a promise to our young people that their schools will be equipped with the facilities, tools, and curriculum they need to succeed in today’s world. We have said many times that making sure our students have the best learning facilities available to them is a priority, and today we’re taking the next step to fulfill that promise: a planning and engagement process for school expansions and re-configurations. 


The majority of Boston's public schools were constructed before World War II, and many lack modern educational spaces like music and technology classrooms. There are also several different grade configurations, meaning that many students change schools several times before graduating from high school. We want to simplify things for families by offering single-transition pathways. Families have also told us that they want to see more K-6 schools in their neighborhoods, and this next step in the plan provides an opportunity to meet that need as well. 


The Boston Public Schools (BPS) recently announced updates to the BuildBPS plan. These include: modernizing school facilities; adopting two preferred grade configuration models of K-6/7-12 and K-8/9-12; increasing access to classroom seats in neighborhoods with the most need; addressing declining enrollment and sustainability in the few remaining middle schools serving grades 6-8; and facilitating greater equity of program placement to meet the needs of students with disabilities, English learners, and more.


Ensuring smooth transitions for students and families is a top priority and critical to expanding high-quality school options in all neighborhoods across our city. After years of analyzing school enrollment patterns and facility layouts and capacity, we are now asking for the community to get involved in the process by providing feedback to the following updates: 


A new 7-12 school at the site of the current McCormack Middle School on Columbia Point in Dorchester, which will combine programming with the Boston Community Leadership Academy (BCLA) in Hyde Park. This new, fully-renovated school will open in the fall of 2022 and will keep specialized programs from both schools, including those for English learners and students with disabilities. 

Expanding 17 elementary schools from grades K-5 to K-6, which includes five schools in South Boston and Dorchester in September 2020 (Dever, Perkins, Tynan, Everett, Clap); six schools citywide in September 2020; and six East Boston schools in September 2021.

Expanding middle-grade seat capacity in East Boston through possible expansion at East Boston High School while maintaining options at the Umana and McKay K-8 schools.

Purchasing property at 189 Paris Street in East Boston to construct a new school building to serve elementary grades, and at 249 Harrison Avenue in Chinatown for a new Josiah Quincy Upper School. 

Continuing to seek property near the Dorchester-Mattapan line to construct a new school building to address the need for elementary seats in the area.

Beginning a planning and engagement process leading to the reconfiguration of the Edwards Middle School in Charlestown, phasing out the grade 6-8 middle school in June 2021, and reconfiguring the school to expand pre-K and elementary grade capacity.

Continuing a planning and engagement process for schools in Allston-Brighton to address facilities challenges at the Jackson/Mann and Horace Mann schools.

Continue working with Grove Hall Alliance school communities (Burke High, Frederick Middle, Trotter K-8, King K-8, and Haynes Early Education Center) to review feeder patterns for the potential creation of a pathway for students.

All of these proposals advance the values of BuildBPS by ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality, 21st-century public education. Throughout this process, we’ll rely on the input of residents and BPS families. BPS will keep providing updates at bostonpublicschools.org/buildbps with more details on how the plan will affect them. I look forward to working with the community on these exciting changes. 

-30-

Guest column: Mayor Walsh on Capital Investment Plan: How we are investing in East Boston

By Mayor Martin J. Walsh

Every spring, we release our Capital Investment Plan which funds the critical improvements to our infrastructure and facilities in Boston over a five-year period. It is a reflection of our priorities, and is guided by the voices of over 15,000 residents who offered input for our citywide plan, Imagine Boston 2030. Our Capital Plan funds the essentials of community life -- our schools, streets, libraries, and parks, including climate and resilience projects. It’s a commitment to all those who call Boston home and to our future generations. 

Mayor Walsh: File Photograph: EastBoston.com

Here in East Boston, we’re making investments across a wide range of projects, including parks and open space, streets and transportation, our schools’ infrastructure, and our delivery of City services. 

We know how vital parks and community spaces are to building community in your neighborhood, that’s why we are Investing in high-quality and accessible community and gathering spaces for our residents. $8.9 million will be allocated to complete the building renovation to the BCYF Paris Street pool. This renovation includes upgrades to the mechanical systems, bathrooms and locker rooms, along with the pool deck, lighting and entryway. One million will be used to convert the former Orient Heights branch library into a new senior center for East Boston’s older residents, giving them a place to gather, and connect with others. In addition, Noyes Park will be updated and rehabilitated using $4.8 million to update the play lot, courts, fields and lighting.

File Photograph: Courtesy Mayor's Press Office

We are also investing in the future of the infrastructure of East Boston, by funding high-quality facilities and infrastructure to better serve residents. Our biggest investment is $30 million to design and construct a new East Boston Police Station to aid in keeping the East Boston community safe. In addition, we are making a $3 million investment to rehabilitate the vital McArdle bridge. Finally, $2.2 million will be used for building repairs to the Engine 5 fire station. These improvements include a new roof and gutters, masonry work, window and door repairs, and drain improvements for the station. 

The McArdle Bridge connecting Meridian Street to Chelsea. File photograph: EastBoston.com

We are investing in the future of Boston by funding our schools, with $900,000 for a new masonry project at the Adams School. This project will address needed repairs for the school.


We also know how vital it is to protect our city from the growing effects of climate change. That’s why we are investing $3.3 million in citywide climate resiliency planning efforts. This major investment includes Jeffries Point and Porzio Park in East Boston.

Now that we’ve submitted Boston’s budget, where do we go from here? First, to the City Council, where it will be reviewed and adjusted as necessary. After it’s gone through that process and secured approval, it will go into effect, starting in July 2020 and running throughout the next 12 months. We hope you will continue to provide your valuable input on what we as a city can do to raise up your community. If you’d like to learn more about the Capital Plan and how this budget was created, go to budget.boston.gov.

May 11: Boston Ward 1 (East Boston) Committee to Elect Delegates to Democratic State Convention

(EAST BOSTON, April 26, 2019) Registered Democrats in Boston Ward 1 will hold a caucus on Saturday, May 11th at 10:00am at the Salesian Boys and Girls Club, 150 Byron Street,  to elect delegates and alternates to the 2019 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention.

This year’s state convention will be held September 14th at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, where thousands of Democrats from across the state will come together to discuss Party business and celebrate our successes as we prepare for upcoming elections.

The caucus is open to all registered and pre-registered Democrats in Boston Ward 1. Pre-registered Democrats who will be 16 by May 11, 2019 will be allowed to participate and run as a delegate or alternate. Boston Ward 1 can elect 20 delegates and 4 alternates to the Convention.

Youth, minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals who are not elected as a delegate or alternate may apply to be an add-on delegate at the caucus or at www.massdems.org.

Those interested in getting involved with the Boston Ward 1 Democratic Committee should contact Michael Sulprizio at 617-438-0952 or you can also follow the Ward Committee on Twitter @ward1demsEB or “Like” us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ward1dems/

Mayor Walsh appoints Dr. Lorna Rivera to the Boston School Committee

BOSTON - Thursday, January 31, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of Dr. Lorna Rivera to the Boston School Committee, the governing body of the Boston Public Schools (BPS). Dr. Lorna Rivera is the Director of the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy, and an Associate Professor of Women's & Gender Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

"A Boston Public Schools parent and an accomplished educator with an extensive background in student advancement and strengthening diverse communities, Dr. Rivera is a wonderful addition to the Boston School Committee," said Mayor Walsh. "I look forward to Lorna's valuable contributions to our students and schools as we continue to work together to create more opportunities for all students."

The seven-member Boston School Committee is responsible for defining the vision, mission and goals of the Boston Public Schools; establishing and monitoring the annual operating budget; hiring, managing and evaluating the Superintendent; and setting and reviewing district policies and practices to support student achievement.

"As the parent of a 5th grader at the Charles Sumner elementary school, I am honored to serve on the school committee, and am really looking forward to working with others to create a better future for our youth," said Dr. Rivera. "I am also an educator and education researcher who is committed to advancing Boston Public Schools' and Mayor Walsh's goals to address opportunity gaps and to support the needs of Boston's diverse student populations."

"I am very happy to welcome another parent to the Boston School Committee," said Michael Loconto, Chairperson of the Boston School Committee.  "Dr. Rivera's deep experience with the Boston Public Schools will allow her to hit the ground running and continue supporting district-wide work to close opportunity and achievement gaps."

Currently, Dr. Rivera is working on the Latinx Student Success Initiative, a partnership with Bunker Hill Community College, to improve retention and graduation rates for Latinx college students. Dr. Rivera also works with the Talented & Gifted (TAG) and Proyecto Alerta afterschool programs that serve Latinx bilingual students in the Boston Public Schools. She has extensive community service and co-founded a national nonprofit, WE LEARN, dedicated to advancing women's literacy. Dr. Rivera serves on the Advisory Boards of the Center to Support Immigrant Organizing and the Latino Education Institute, and on the Board of Directors for the Hyde Square Task Force, an arts-based youth development organization serving Afro-Latinx youth in Boston.  

Dr. Rivera's family is originally from Puerto Rico, and she was raised in Chicago and attended Chicago Public Schools. Dr. Rivera has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from DePaul University, state of Illinois licensure in Language Arts & Social Studies grades K-9, and a Masters and Doctorate in Sociology from Northeastern University. Between 1994 and 2001 she taught G.E.D. classes and also was the director of the Adult Learners Program at Project Hope in Dorchester.  

In 2001, Dr. Rivera joined the faculty at UMass Boston and her research focuses on women's and adult literacy programs, racial/ethnic health disparities, and the education of Latinx students and immigrant students. She is the author of many scholarly articles and the award-winning book, Laboring to Learn: Women's Literacy & Poverty in the Post-Welfare Era (2008, University of Illinois Press). Her research has been funded by the Society for the Study of Social Problems, the National Academy of Education, the Spencer Foundation, National Center for Family Literacy, and National Institutes on Health.  

Dr. Rivera has lived in the Jamaica Plain and Roslindale Square neighborhoods for over 27 years, and she is the proud parent of a ten-year old boy who attends the Charles Sumner Elementary School. Dr. Rivera also formerly served as the Co-Chair of the Parent Council at the Sumner school. She lives in Roslindale.

The seven members of the School Committee are Boston residents appointed by the Mayor of Boston to serve four-year staggered terms. Mayor Walsh made these appointments based on a list of candidates recommended by a 13-member Citizens Nominating Panel composed of parents, teachers, principals, and representatives of business and higher education. Under the legislation that established the appointed School Committee, "the Mayor shall strive to appoint individuals who reflect the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of the city." In December, Mayor Walsh appointed Quoc Tran and reappointed Jeri Robinson to the Boston School Committee.

Source: Mayor's Press Office 1/31/2019

One year report: District 1 City Councilor Lydia Edwards

December 12: Hearing on Proposed Porter Street Pot Shop

Notice of Public Meeting
Notice is hereby given that a Community Outreach Meeting for a Proposed Marijuana Establishment is scheduled for:

Date: Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: East Boston Social Center: 68 Central Square, East Boston, MA 02128

The Proposed Marijuana Establishment is anticipated to be located at 24 Porter Street, East Boston, MA 02128

There will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Related news story from the Boston Herald.

Contractor TJ McCartney and Painters Union honored for their volunteer efforts in renovating and improving the Boston Harbor Islands

From left to right (first row): Tom Steeves, President, TJ McCartney, Jeff Sullivan, Business Manager, IUPAT DC 35, Instructor Jim Sullivan, FTI-NE, and Tom Gunning, Executive Director, BTEA, along with FTI-NE apprentices receiving the award.

In an ongoing partnership between industry leader TJ McCartney and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35, countless hours have been devoted towards the maintenance and upkeep of the Boston Harbor Islands.

Special guests including State Senator Nick Collins, State Representative-Elect David Biele, State Representative Dan Hunt, and Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn were in attendance at the event. 

(Boston, MA November 28, 2018) - At an awards gala hosted by Boston Harbor Now, contractor T.J. McCartney, Inc. and members from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 35 were recognized for their long-standing commitment to renovate and revive facilities on the Boston Harbor Islands. 

TJ McCartney, with the help of apprentices from the Finishing Trades Institute of New England, volunteered countless hours to the maintenance of several Boston Harbor Islands, including years of pro-bono work with the creation of three gazebos on Spectacle Island and the rehabilitation of many different projects on George’s Island. 

"The Painters Union has been our partner in this initiative since the beginning. We are excited to partner together on this project because it benefits not only the people of Boston but is a wonderful experience for all those that visit this city.” Said Tom Steeves, President of TJ McCartney. “We are honored to accept this award from Boston Harbor Now for our work at the Boston Harbor Islands, and we look forward to continuing the collaboration with more projects in the near future."

“We have the best-trained apprentices in the industry. Our partnership with TJ McCartney has provided an excellent opportunity for them to gain work experience and contribute towards a better Boston," said Jeff Sullivan, Business Manager, IUPAT DC 35. 

"Our apprenticeship program recently received national accreditation as a post-secondary educational institution and we are working towards receiving college degree-conferring authority. Our students will soon be receiving Associates Degrees when they graduate from the program, increasing their ability to embark on successful careers in the finishing trades. We are thankful to Boston Harbor Now for recognizing the work of our apprentices and our partner TJ McCartney."

The volunteer efforts of TJ McCartney and IUPAT DC35 contribute immensely to Boston Harbor Now’s goal of re-establishing Boston as one of the world’s great coastal cities. These efforts also serve as a primary example of how Labor/Management partnerships in the construction industry work together to improve the parks and communities for the people of Boston. Both organizations were honored alongside The Fallon Company and Massachusetts Port Authority for their contributions to Boston Harbor.

About T.J. McCartney, Inc.: With close to 40 years of experience in the drywall industry, we provide our clients with the best project managers, estimators, and field personnel in the business. T.J. McCartney, Inc. is certified with SOMWBA, as well as with the city of Boston as a WBE. At T.J. McCartney, Inc. we have built a reputation for quality workmanship and exceptional performance.

For more information about T.J. McCartney, Inc. please visit https://www.tjminc.com/

About District Council 35: 
District Council 35 has a history of doing charity projects to support the community. Their organization branches and members have done work in public schools, organized hurricane relief, and collaborated in support of numerous community groups around New England. District Council 35 is an organization of approximately 4000 members in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island affiliated with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. District Council 35 is committed to serving the interests of members and those unrepresented workers who hope to join. The DC 35 is determined to continue to ensure the best wages and benefits in the industries. The organization's mission is to represent members for purposes of collective bargaining, to organize workers in a variety of occupations, and to advocate for workers and their families. For more information about IUPAT DC 35, please visit http://iupatdc35.org/.

Mayor Walsh, Commissioner Gross Announce Recipients of 2019 Boston Youth Development Fund: East Boston's Zumix on List with Roca's EB Youth Initiative

BOSTON - Tuesday, November 27, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross today announced the recipients of Boston's Police Youth Development Fund. The City of Boston has doubled last year's funding, and this year, $500,000 will go to the Youth Development Fund, which provides $25,000 to 20 organizations which work to provide development programs for Boston's youth, ensuring they have access to programs that give them more opportunities to thrive and succeed. In addition, the City has applied for funding through the Commonwealth's Shannon Community Safety Initiative to further support multidisciplinary approaches to curb youth violence through coordinated prevention and intervention programs.

"In Boston, we work every day to make sure our young people are lifted up, and given every opportunity to succeed. That means through education, through development programs, and through having a safe, stable environment that will give them the resources and opportunities they need," said Mayor Walsh. "The Boston Police are a major partner in this, and I'm proud that today we're able to fund 20 great organizations that will make a lasting difference in the lives of Boston's youth for years to come."

Under the leadership of Mayor Walsh, the Boston Police Department has prioritized community policing as an effective way to reduce crime, while building trust with the community. The Boston Police Department received national recognition from the Obama Administration in 2015 as being one of the top cities in the nation that is leading the way on community policing. Earlier this year, Mayor Walsh announced the formation of the Bureau of Community Engagement at the Boston Police Department, which is charged with overseeing a citywide effort to further strengthen community policing in Boston, and focused on ways to build relationships and trust between law enforcement and residents, creating new and innovative partnerships, and promoting inclusion and diversity within the department. Commissioner Gross appointed Superintendent Nora Baston to serve as Bureau Chief for the Bureau.

"As Commissioner, my number one goal to ensure all residents in Boston are safe -- and that includes Boston's young people," said Commissioner Gross. "We have the biggest opportunity to change lives by providing resources and support to Boston's youth, and through these programs, we are able to positively impact lives and create a better city for all."

As part of Boston's overall community policing strategy, the Boston Police Department prioritizes relationships with youth and the community as the key to building trust and creating safe neighborhoods. This starts with an emphasis on daily interactions on the streets and in school classrooms, and includes proactive prevention and diversion for at-risk youth and their families. In addition, the department provides positive pathways for our youth through programs such as Operation Exit and My Brother's Keeper. The BPD has strong partnerships and year-round district activities with residents through Coffee with A Cop, National Night Out, youth and police dialogues, teen police academy, flashlight walks, Shop with a Cop, and more.

"Our community is a caring one, one who seeks the best for its children, but caring for our youth comes with many responsibilities - not only from our families but through neighborhood partnerships and person to person interactions," said Candice D. Gartley, executive director All Dorchester Sports and Leadership. "All Dorchester Sports and Leadership sees their role in the community not only as a place to provide athletic activities and academic opportunities but also as a place for children to feel safe and cared for near their homes. With the City's help and the  Mayor's steadfast commitment of these grant dollars to organizations such as ADSL, we will continue to build and create more opportunities for youth and young adults in our organization and our city."      

"I was thrilled to make the Youth Development Fund my initial budget ask in my first term and am delighted to partner with Mayor Walsh to support the Fund and Shannon Grant to help dozens of programs expand their capacity to serve, empower, and educate our young people," said City Council President Andrea Campbell. "The jobs, skills, and relationships young people build through these programs are critical to breaking cycles of inequity, especially for young people of color, and ensuring they reach their God-given potentials."

A full list of recipients for the Youth Development Fund grants are as follows, with each recipient receiving a $25,000 grant:

•     All Dorchester Sports & Leadership - Educational Enrichment Programs

•     BalletRox - BalletRox

•     Boston Scores - Leadership in Action

•     Center for Teen Empowerment - Teen Empowerment Boston

•     Crossroads - Crossroads C5 Leaders

•     Dorchester Youth Collaborative - Focus and Finish After School Program

•     Friends of the Children-Boston - Long-Term, Professional Mentoring for the Highest-Risk Girls/Young Women

•     Madison Park Development Corporation - Soheil Turner Youth Leadership Institute- After School and Summer Youth Employment Programs

•     More Than Words - Youth Development Job Training for System-Involved Youth

•     Playworks New England - Playworks Junior Coach Leadership Program

•     Project RIGHT, Inc. - Grove Hall Youth Outreach Connection

•     Rehearsal for Life, Inc. - Urban Improv

•     Roca, Inc. - Roca's East Boston Central American Youth Initiative

•     Roxbury Youthworks, Inc. - Gaining Independence for Tomorrow (GIFT)

•     Shooting Touch - Getting Girls in the Game (G3)

•     Sociedad Latina - STEAM Team

•     Sportsmen's Tennis & Enrichment Center - HEY Sister

•     Teen Center at St. Peter's, Catholic Charities of Boston - Teen Center at St. Peter's, Focus Groups for Middle School Girls

•     Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center - Connections

•     ZUMIX - ZUMIX Creative Youth Development Programs

Source: Mayor's Press Office 11/27/2018

More election results from EastBoston.com: How Eastie voted in last week's state election

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